ladies-lounge

Burlesque Belles.

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:54:03 +0100

The Belles met at CWA house last Thursday eve for our June meeting – and a lesson in Burlesque! Our favourite Burlesque dancer? Well, that would have to be Sally Rand. Renowned for her fan dance, and her debut performance at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. The fan act consisted of two giant seven-foot pink ostrich feather fans (and a skin coloured bodysuit). A true trailbrazer and inspiration – Sally performed until she was 60 years old.

50 People. One Question. Perth.

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:18:13 +0100

Fifty People, One Question is a simple project that asks people to go to a place, ask fifty people the same question and film their responses. So far they have received over 1,500 responses from 300 cities. Perth filmmaker Liam Underwood recently took up the challenge – asking 50 people ‘What would make your day?’.

Is Soup. Is Good.

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:51:00 +0100

Is it just us, or has winter finally hit Perth? In times like these, the only thing to do is make a nice, hearty pot of soup. After much convincing, our nanna allowed us to let you in on her family recipe for Pumpkin Soup. The secret ingredients is cashew - which magically make this soup so ‘oh-my-goodness-I can’t-believe-there-is-no-actual-cream-in-this-recipe’ creamy.

Creamy Pumpkin and Cashew Soup

Ingredients

1 butternut squash

½ cup cashews, plus more for garnish

5-6 cups stock

5 dashes nutmeg

2-3 dashes cinnamon

1 tsp sugar

1 tbsp butter

salt and pepper to taste

1. Cut the butternut squash into pieces and roast in a hot oven for 30-45 minutes until tender.

2. Scoop out the cooked squash and discard the skin. Toss half the squash in the blender with 2 cups stock and the cashews, and puree until very smooth. Add the mixture to a saucepan.

3. Puree the remaining half of the squash with another 2 cups of stock, and add that to the saucepan as well.

4. Season with nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar, butter and salt and pepper to taste.

5. Heat on medium-high until just beginning to bubble.

6. Serve, garnishing with chopped cashews if desired.

Learn how to make Boniko Foot Sock Doll at the Upmarket.

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:45:33 +0100

The Perth Upmarket is back this Sunday 7 June! This quarterly event is for all those who appreciate the handmade – and brings together Perth's talented artists, designers, craftspeople and gourmets all under one roof. And at 1pm (at the upstairs stage) Rio Liley from Blannk will also demonstrate how to make her Boniko Foot Sock Dolls. No bookings required.

What: The Perth Upmarket

When: Sunday 7 June, 10am-4pm

Where: Perth Town Hall (Cnr Barrack and Hay Street)

Back to work.

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:53:47 +0100

Another long weekend has come and gone – and we’re back to the ‘ol nine to five. A tenuous link which provides a lead in for this gratuitous Dolly Parton mention, and gives us an excuse to play one of the most catchy pop songs of all time.

You probably know she wrote the music and lyrics while filming the movie of the same name. You might not know that the amazing typewriter sound you can hear in the opening bars was made by Dolly flicking her acrylic nails across each other. Cup of ambition anyone?

Dancing alone in front of the mirror.

Fri, 22 May 2009 09:21:57 +0100

We know you do it. Don't worry, we won't tell anyone. And in your next secret session, you make like to take inspiration from the amazing Anne Margaret. The ‘pantyhose and pants’ look has been long overlooked, don’t you think? In the 60’s, Eddie Sedgwick took up the mantle. And more recently Lady Gaga and Lily Allen have been seen sporting the look.

We sense a comeback.

The best cookies and cream cheesecake in the world ever.

Thu, 21 May 2009 05:05:57 +0100

We feel it’s nothing less than our duty to share this.

350g Oreo Cookies (250g for the cake, 100g for the base)

80g butter, melted

375g block Philadelphia Cream Cheese (cubed and softened)

1/2 cup caster sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 cup thickened cream

3 teaspoons powdered gelatin (dissolved in 1/4 cup boiling water)

200g white chocolate (melted and cooled slightly)

Place 250g Oreos in a food processor and process into fine crumbs. Add the butter and process to combine. Press the mixture into an 18cm × 28cm lamington tin lined with cling wrap or baking paper and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Beat the Philly, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth, then beat in the cream. Stir through the gelatine mixture and white chocolate.

Roughly chop the remaining cookies and stir through the Philly mixture then pour over the Oreo base. Cover and refrigerate until set. Cut into slices or squares to serve.

1 Million Women - Daughters, mothers, sisters, and grandmothers against climate change

Wed, 20 May 2009 09:24:58 +0100

Launched yesterday – 1 Million Women is a campaign to inspire women interested in preventing climate change to make a commitment to reduce their CO2 emissions by one tonne over 12 months (which would reduce Australia’s emissions by 1 million tonnes).

Small changes make a huge difference and the site is all about practical action. Its free to register and once you do, the site provides personalised tips to help you reduce emissions via home, food, shopping, transport, travel and more. You can even create your own profile to track how you’re doing!

The Bindaring Clothing Sale – This Weekend!

Tue, 19 May 2009 09:28:28 +0100

The Bindaring Clothing Sale has been a Red Cross institution since 1963 – and it's on this Saturday from 9am at the Claremont Showgrounds. Check our the Jumble Sale at the Ellie Eaton Pavilion, the Boutique Sale in the Webster Pavilion…or if your tastes are of the more expensive variety – bid for designer goodies at the 11am Auction.

Last year, the sale raised over $90,000 with all funds going towards vital Red Cross community services in Western Australia (including the Soup Patrol service, Emergency Services, Youth and Education Services and the save-a-mate program).

Our advice? Get there early!

Perth Belles Stitch & Bitch

Mon, 18 May 2009 11:11:31 +0100

The CWA Perth Belles kicked off 2009 on Sunday with a late afternoon Stitch & Bitch session at Greco’s. In a whirlwind knitting session, and fuelled by delish cake and coffee, we learnt the basics from the very best. Among the many tales, Margaret revealed she first learnt to knit on the school bus when she was 10 years old, knitting socks for soldiers during WWII (using wheat bag skewers as knitting needles).

Huge thanks to Pam, Viv and Margaret – our amazing (and very patient) knitting gurus. We couldn’t have done it without you!